45 



is as in allied species, the center having a, large reservoir lined with 

 a brownish membrane, as in other carniyores. 



" The Sub-caudal Glands and Pouch.~ln front of the insertion of the 

 muscular band, which attaches the rectum to the sacro-cocygeal bones, 

 is a deeply bilobate mass, really a single gland, having but one recepta- 

 cle for the follicular secretion. This large, central pouch is abundantly 

 provided throughout its surface with short, stiff, brownish hairs. This 

 sac is distended with a yellowish, fetid substance, mixed with numerous 

 hairs, like the viverreum of the Civet; this pouch is continuous, with 

 the pocket-opening under the tail, being, indeed, part of one and the 

 same cavity. In the possession of the central cavity clothed with hairs, 

 and the bilobation of the gland, the sub-caudal glands are analogous to the 

 scent-bags of the Civet ; but in the Badgers the gland is always between 

 the tail and the anus, and not between the genitalia and the anus, as in 

 the Viverra. They differ, moreover, in the nature of the secretion, and, 

 to a certain extent, in histological structure." 



Habits. — The Badger lives altogether in burrows in the ground. The 

 continued excavation of the earth by these animals, in search of food, 

 and in forming its burrows, undermines and honeycombs the ground so 

 completely, in many regions, as to form the chief obstacle to progression 

 by wagons or on horseback. 



Its. whole structure adapts it to a subterranean life, which it follows 

 so closely and secretively that many points in its economy are not yet 

 fully known ; others are inferred rather than proved. One may travel 

 for weeks in the Badger country and rarely see one, or at the best catch 

 a glance as they scramble into the nearest hole. 



The Badger has few enemies, and, as a consequence, is very abundant. 

 They are stout enough to ward off Wolves and Foxes. No indiginous 

 animal is known to prey habitually upon them. Their immunity from 

 danger, dependent on their physical prowess, impregnable nature of 

 their retreats, and abundance of their food insures the perpetuation of 

 the species in all unsettled portions of their range. They prey upon 

 small quadrupeds for their staple diet; the nimble Rodents are driven 

 to their retreats, which the Badger quickly enlarges and enters, following 

 their unfortunate tenants to the deepest recesses. They also eat insects, 

 snails, and the eggs of the numerous small birds which nest upon the 

 grnu'^d in prairie regions. It may, like the European Badger, prey upon 

 the : lores of the wild bees, eating honey, wax and grubs; this habit, 

 however, of our Badgers needs confirmation. 



With regard to its character and disposition, I transcribe the follow- 

 ing from Dr. Coues: "The Badger has been called a 'timid' animal. 



